Oh God.
Jules was right. There is competition between Gavin and Atticus, much more than I ever expected. That’s the real reason Gavin finally decided to talk to me. That’s why he invited me out to the dock. That’s why once I was there that he didn’t try to kiss me or feel me up. That explains everything. Gavin isn’t attracted to me. I was only a tool to hurt his brother…
“I’m going to be sick,” I cry, my hand going to my mouth. I jump up and take off running toward the building, praying I can make it to the bathroom before the bile rises up and forces itself out.
“Luna!” I hear Atticus yell, but I ignore him. I’m already the laughing stock of the school. The last thing I need is for everyone to see me losing my breakfast
Jules is beside me and she’s shielding me as I sprint to the restroom. I slam through the doors and barely make it to the toilet in time.
My body heaves, ridding me of the contents of my stomach and only adding to my misery. I close my eyes and fall back on my ass when I’m done, feeling utterly humiliated and broken.
Jules brings a wet paper towel over, handing it to me and I use it to clean my mouth. She puts another one on my forehead and I let her, not because it’s helping, but just because I don’t have the will or strength to remove it.
“What am I going to do, Jules?” I whisper miserably, looking at my best friend.
“You’re going to survive and make Gavin Lodge regret the day he ever tried to hurt you,” she says solemnly.
“I never want to see him again,” I tell her and even saying it, I know that I’m lying.
I’m so stupid.
I want Gavin to rush in and tell me it’s all a mistake. I want him to tell me that he didn’t tell the whole school that we slept together. I want him to tell me I wasn’t just a girl he used to hurt his brother. I know it would be all lies, but I want those lies. I need them.
And I know that if Gavin gave them to me… I’d believe them.
I’m pathetic.
I don’t know how long Jules and I sit in the restroom like that. Eventually, we get up and she goes to class. I can’t bring myself to do that. It might be taking the coward’s way out, but I go to the office and call my mom to come and get me. I can’t be at school today. I can’t pretend everything is okay when I feel like I’m dying.
I’ll face it all tomorrow. Today I want to go home.
I sit in the secretary’s office and wait for my mom to show up. We only live twenty minutes from the school and I know my mom left immediately. Still, those twenty minutes feel like a lifetime.
“You okay, baby?” Mom asks, rushing in the room. I look up at her to reassure her I’m fine—even if I’m not. But the minute I see her, I can’t stop myself from going to her and letting her hug me. My tears start then, and I let them fall because I’m safe with my mom. She signs me out and we’re finally leaving. Maybe once I get out of here, I will be able to breathe again.
“Luna.”
My head jerks around and I see Gavin coming out of the principal’s office. He looks upset, which is laughable. He’s the cause of all of this.
I turn away from him. That’s the only reply he deserves.
“Luna, we need to talk,” Gavin says again.
I ignore him.
“Let’s go, Mom,” I whisper, just needing out of here.
“Who is that, Moonbeam?”
I normally hate it when Mom calls me her nickname in public. Today it’s oddly comforting. I look over my shoulder at Gavin.
“No one, Mom. He’s no one,” I tell her and despite my soft voice, I can see that Gavin hears the words. It almost looks like he flinches and that should make me feel better, but it doesn’t…
Not really.
I turn back to my mom and she may not completely understand, but I think she understands enough. She puts her arm around me and leads me out of the office and away from Gavin Lodge.
At least for today.
Chapter Twelve
Gavin
I watch as Luna practically runs in the opposite direction the minute that she sees me. It’s been this way for a week. I should let it go. This is what I want. I need her to leave me alone. She has to be the one to leave me alone, because I’m not strong enough to be the one to walk away.
I hate that she thinks I’m the asshole who would spread lies about her. I hate that she believes I would tell anyone anything about the two of us. I want to prove to her I’m not, but I can’t do that either.